MINIMUM WAGE VETO IS UNJUST

THE HARTFORD COURANT

By vetoing the minimum wage bill, Gov. M. Jodi Rell has cut another gaping hole in the safety net for Connecticut's lowest wage earners [Page 1, May 28, "Rell Vetoes Wage Hike"]. An increase from $7.65 per hour to $8 on Jan. 1 and to $8.25 in 2010 would provide some sorely needed relief for workers who are disproportionately affected by spiraling energy and food costs.

By vetoing this bill, Gov. Rell has once again placed business interests ahead of those of low-wage workers. Gov. Rell's quotations in the May 28 article show great sensitivity to the voices of certain business groups. Have the voices of minimum-wage workers been heard as well?

It is disingenuous to say "We cannot take a chance on hurting families or employers by signing another minimum wage increase into law at this time." Which families are we talking about? A continued $7.65 per hour converts to a mere $287 for a typical 37.5 hour work week. Freezing the minimum wage at this level deeply hurts those families who are headed by minimum-wage earners.

During difficult economic times, Connecticut (the richest state) has an additional responsibility to help those families that are most in need.